A to Zee Across America
Kay Morris-Robertson is a first time author aged 37. She has written the book A to Zee Across America having travelled all across all 50 States alone after a series of life changing events. This was a journey with a difference because of these simple rules:
She had to follow the alphabet in order (a,b,c,d and so on…)
1) No major towns or cities
2) Ordinary American’s she met along the way or voted on-line would determine her next destination even if it is was thousands of miles in the opposite direction
3) The motivation of the journey was borne out of the sudden death of her husband aged 32 whilst sailing on the pacific. Being wrongfully locked-up and diagnosed with a mental illness. Her story has been a surprise inspiration to others.
Was there anything that prompted you to go on this trip, if so please can you tell us about the reasons?
Kay was born in Oldham, Lancashire and worked at Executive level in project management working on multi-million pound projects such as the Olympics. She and John where engaged and been together for 7 years and in 2008 she was offered a promotion from the Westfield office in London to go to live and work in Los Angeles.
Life was good, living and working in LA. John and Kay were married in the November 2007 in Vegas with Elvis. John had been learning to sail, having passed his exam that same day (June 1st) he took Kay for their maiden voyage on a hired sailboat. About 20 minutes into the sail out on the Pacific and John very suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness, despite Kay’s and then the Life guards and Sherriff’s best efforts John was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the funeral back at home, Kay returned to work and continue to do a good job put was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the April the following year it had all got too much, she went to her boss and Westfield and asked for help. The next day she had been arrested and locked away for 10 days in a mental institution against her will. Resulting in a lawsuit, which Kay won back in 2009.
There in-lies the motivation of the journey and eventually the book. A journey she made alone across 50 States was to help her overcome her PTSD and soon became an unexpected inspiration to many others.
Once she had completed the journey she managed to find a home for her (now covered) memorabilia-clad RV at the LeMay Museum, one of the USA’s largest private automobile collections. Here she launches the book and completes a book signing.
What was your lowest point before going on the trip?
Lowest point was probably when I was half-way through and travelling through the Northern States yet again. Being stuck in the middle of no-where in North Dakota. Camping in the snow, the RV was freezing. That was probably the one and only time I thought about giving up.
Where did you find the strength to do something so gutsy and challenging?
John my late husband was a fantastic guy and was probably the source of my motivation. Plus supporting the charities which are on the website.. With PTSD one of the symptoms is that you have ‘no fear’ this is because the worst things that could possibly happen has happened. So without my illness I don’t think I could have done the journey.
The proceeds of the book go to a good cause, please tell us a bit about this.
The proceeds from the book go to Cardiac Risk in the Young, Our House, Los Angeles and PTSD charities.
CRY's Vision 2013
To work with cardiologists and family doctors to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young by establishing good practice and screening facilities devoted to significantly reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death throughout the UK.
OUR HOUSE grief support groups create a warm environment of safety and comfort in which children, teens, and adults find the support they need from others who have also experienced the death of someone close. Led by highly trained volunteers, groups are age- and relationship- specific. OUR HOUSE also offers grief support groups in our local schools helping grieving children in low-income, underserved areas of Los Angeles County.
Of all the places you visited where was your favourite?
Alaska and Hawaii are obviously unique, but I really liked Utah. I called it the screensaver State because most of the images that pop up on your PC screensaver will most likely to have been taken in Utah.
What is your greatest hope for people reading this book?
That people find it a useful travel companion. That those who are going through a difficult time (particularly with PTSD) that they gain the strength to never ever give up.
Which destination surprised you the most?
Xenia, Illinois was my letter ‘X’ it had 140 households, a bank, a café and a post office. The whole town turned out to meet me including the Mayor. They were fantastic.
What is next for you?
Have returned back to work and continue to promote the book for charity. BUT have the rights for A to Zee Across the UK, Oz, Africa, the World (etc.). So who knows…?